Opinion: Property Enquiry Etiquette (Shocking Response)

LSilvosis on 22/11/2020 - 17:09
Last edited 26/11/2020 - 23:35 by 1 other user

Hi OzB,

Wanted to get your opinion on enquiry etiquette for properties.

I've been keen on searching for properties in an area - and trying to make contact with the prominent real estate agents handling my favourite suburbs. My enquiry is generic, seeking for a 2b 2bth 1cp property in the area - asking if they have any upcoming private or public sales.

Little did I know some of my messages went to different Agents from the same Real Estate Agency. Specifically, looks like I contacted 2 other agents from the same firm with the same general enquiry.

I got this as a reply:

"David I think you have contacted everyone I work with, we've not met so not sure how you've come by my name. Anyway, we are here to help but mass spam isn't going to change much. Good luck with your search"

Its the first time I have ever gotten a response like this - what do you guys think? Was i in the wrong, perhaps something I could do different?

UPDATE: Thanks for the overwhelming response folks - appreciate the wisdom being shared. I didn't expect the large volume of responses, so apologies I can't respond to all of them. Though I certainly read them all.

For those interested in the REA, I did list the company in my earlier responses. But please note this is just one bad egg in their pile.

As a buyer, I can share that the property market has been wild! As kindly pointed out there are over 400+ properties fitting this description in the market atm. Thats 200+ more than earlier in the week. For anyone buying in the city for convenience I would say to look critically at the market. Nothing wrong with buying and living in the CBD, but weary of the trend that seems to be a sharp increase in supply of cookie cutter properties.

Keep sharing and keep to conversations going :) its good to share.

Home & Garden

Comments

      • oscargamer on 22/11/2020 - 18:18
        +21

        To which you reply 'f off idiot' :)

      • burningrage on 22/11/2020 - 20:00
        +1

        Are you sure you got an REA, not Ali G?

        • Silvosis on 22/11/2020 - 22:27
          +2

          Well I'll tell you right now it was Lucas RealEstate. Judging by their ads they seems like a well established firm - but I guess there are bad apples in any pile

          • Whisper Quiet on 23/11/2020 - 07:38
            +5

            @Silvosis: If they're that rude with enquiries, imagine how bad it will be doing business with them. Probably a blessing in disguise. There's no customer service left anymore. Can't believe he would say something like that to someone who's willing to give him thousands of dollars!?

            • abb on 24/11/2020 - 11:40

              @Whisper Quiet:

              imagine how bad it will be doing business with them

              They know you have no choice. It's not like you can find a house you like and then pick which agent to buy from.

      • tee123 on 24/11/2020 - 10:15

        This response seems like he is having a bad day and trying to handle it

      • cameldownunder on 24/11/2020 - 11:56
        +3

        "No stress it's Sunday just relax"

        I hate when people are telling me what to do.

      • Pratty on 24/11/2020 - 22:00

        Haha wow. What a loser. Imagine negotiating with a fool like that when it comes to actually buying a property.

        I’d steer well clear.

      • CalmLemons on 25/11/2020 - 11:11

        I wouldn't worry too much about rea response, it's just how they are, given they attend to hundreds of enquiries a week, you would sorta get over it.

        I would think he was using the term spam lightly, could you think of an alternative word?

  • AustriaBargain on 22/11/2020 - 18:30
    +2

    Maybe you should take his answer as a "no".

    • Silvosis on 22/11/2020 - 18:44

      Funny enough, after checking their company website I was already in the middle of a conversation with one of his colleagues. This is gna be awks

      • Kenb0 on 22/11/2020 - 19:17
        +1

        Thats fine then if this particular individual doesn't want the business. His colleague will get the commission if any results.

        • Silvosis on 22/11/2020 - 22:36

          Thats true!

          • Slippery Fish on 24/11/2020 - 12:05
            +1

            @Silvosis: Ensure you send this agent a n
            Basket of spam cans if you purchase from this office. A consolation instead of commission.

  • Seraphin7 on 22/11/2020 - 18:35
    +2

    Just note the REA and dodge their listings. I've certainly done that with one bloke in particular in my neck of the woods who is simply useless.

    Mind you, I've found REAs to the spectacularly useless when you hit them up in the way you have. Basically they're only interesting in what they've got on the books at the time and see your enquiry as a "waste of time". That said, no doubt you'll be added to some database and spammed relentlessly on everything they've got going, probably little of which will be what your after.

    • Silvosis on 22/11/2020 - 18:45
      +1

      Haha probably!

  • skido on 22/11/2020 - 19:05
    +7

    the title of this thread reminds me of YouTube videos with clickbait af titles

    • Silvosis on 22/11/2020 - 19:07

      Thats the idea 😂 but got some good insights in the end. Results may surprise!

    • screensaver on 22/11/2020 - 19:17
      +1

      where money and property are involved some have nots get jealous and snaky, including agents

      • Silvosis on 22/11/2020 - 22:28

        Agreed - its a pretty dirty industry

  • mskeggs on 22/11/2020 - 19:32

    Not sure what is shocking about the response.
    If everyone in your workplace got the same inquiry, I would be surprised if you didn’t mention it to your coworkers.
    I find it is a good idea to attend some open houses and meet the agents if you are hoping to get access to their upcoming listings.

    • Silvosis on 22/11/2020 - 22:29
      +1

      I try, for the past year I have. I guess I thought a more forward approach to open a dialogue would've been helpful - but another Ozb has kindly pointed out thats more akin to what a Buyer's Agent would do.

  • askme69 on 22/11/2020 - 19:46
    +12

    They are REA they are the bottom feeders and deserve nothing.

    Tell him it's ok you have purchased with another agent.

    • Silvosis on 22/11/2020 - 22:30

      Haha yeah, I probably will. All other REAs have been keen to share their offerings with me.

      This is the exception to the norm I guess

    • Wiser on 25/11/2020 - 17:02

      Exactly
      Once they get your details, even though you are providing it to meet legal requirements they will keep calling you to introduce to new listings.
      So many people are mentioning it is rude to send a message.
      The message was polite and even if they are working for same agent each one will have separate portfolios.
      OP Don't worry about their response.
      They live out of your business and they forget the simple principle" Customer is King and King is always right"

  • lainey13 on 22/11/2020 - 20:30
    +3

    Now you know who to avoid :)
    I was offered plenty of off market ops but only after meeting agents at opens and making myself known that I was very keen on similar properties. Not just electronic comms - in person helps push your case forward in front of agents minds

    • Silvosis on 22/11/2020 - 22:31

      Yeah agreed, not gna lie I'm really turn me off now by any agent in Lucas RealEstate. It's kind of a bummer, overall most of their staff seemed fine - bad apples I guess.

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 22/11/2020 - 21:47
    +7

    As a general rule anyone in sales (houses, Cares, mobile plans etc) are jerks but Real Estate Agents are probably the worst of the lot - i DONT BLAME THEM bcuz if they dont sell they dont make $$ but the relationship between buyer and agent is one where they are the enemy and if you let them think you are friends you will probably end up getting shafted.

    Dont get me wrong some agents are better then others but i got mates that have/had/still work in the industry and if you ask them to be frank they will tell you most agents are 'f**k heads' (they might not be like that outside of work) just trying to make a buck and it is the cut throat nature of the industry (if your not like that you wont survive).

    The response you got doesn't surprise me unless they know your 'cashed' up and just willing to just pay the price for anything they will probably treat you poorly esp if your young. When I have brought houses i;ve had MUCH worse then that. I put and offer and a block got knocked back said if you change ur mind the offer stands less i find something else the response i got im not going to change my mind and im not going to text you. (my offer was about 30k less then the asking price which isn't unreasonable, they ended up selling that block 6months later for less then a offered with a different agent.)

    MY ADVICE: Only talk/contact the agent to organise inspection/make an offer/ get a contract. - you cant trust anything they say i've literally had agents say a property is about 450m2 (land size) get the contract a week later then is 371m2 (that is a huge difference) - read the contract if you need to know something about the property do not ask the agent for information chances are they dont know and will lie to make it sound better - it sound stupid but there are people that will make offers on properties without completing a basic due diligence of reading a contract.

    I could go though at least 15 situations in which an agent blatantly lied to me about a property…

    • Silvosis on 22/11/2020 - 22:33

      That makes sense, the funny thing is I am ready to buy - just sceptical of the market and offer priced (as anyone would in the current economy). You would think a bit of EQ along the way would be beneficial to show they wanna at least "try" to achieve a fair outcome.

      • Trying2SaveABuck on 22/11/2020 - 22:43
        +4

        Im 30 years old i've brought 2 houses on my own

        My wife has brought 1

        I have sold 2 houses

        My wife and I have also bought 1 together

        So I'm not (that old) but i have a bit of buying/selling experience - I've had agents treat me like absolute garbage even though I have bid at auctions for properties b4 (so they know im 'ready to buy') - One time my wife and I literally won an auction at 760k we didn't met the reserve 770k and bcuz i wouldn't budge on my last off 10k the owner of a ray white came up to me and my wife (who was 6months pregnant) and said 'you two need to stop fking around' - Keep in mind the property was advertised for 720-780k - we walked out after and i didnt look at another Ray white house again becuz i just didnt want to deal with those dk heads in fairness they were probably the worst i dealt with in my time but you get the picture

        • Silvosis on 22/11/2020 - 22:46

          Damn, that sucks.

          This is why I never understood the drive of going to auctions for buyers. It feels completely artificial and decisions are basically made under duress.

          I'd much prefer a private sale.

          • Trying2SaveABuck on 22/11/2020 - 22:50

            @Silvosis: The way the 'law' is doesnt help buyers - you can set a price at an auction and if you dont get it just go down the private sale there is no commitment to sell

            Auctions also allow sellers to sell houses with issues bcuz it reduces the ability to complete building inspections etc - ie if you go to 10 auctions you need to pay for 10 building inspections if you lose the 1st 9

            Opposed to private sales if you put an offer in (ie meet the asking price) you can have it on your terms ie subject building inspection finance etc etc

            Being a buyer can be horrible esp when your on a tight budget - the system lets agents get away with murder if the regulator did it's job most of the agents' wouldnt be out of business from the stuff ive seen

            • Silvosis on 22/11/2020 - 22:52
              +1

              @Trying2SaveABuck: I agree 100%, I would never feel comfortable putting myself in such a vulnerable position for such a large lifetime sized investment.

              But as you said, the REA doesn't truly have a natural incentive for fair outcomes.

              • Trying2SaveABuck on 22/11/2020 - 22:54
                +2

                @Silvosis: Unfortnely it doesn't - i find it amazing how the law absolutely shafts buyers.

                It is sadly a system that favors the rich

                Heed my advice becuz i made mistakes on the 2nd house i brought i trusted the agent a lil too much - it almost cost me 100s of 1000s of dollars….. but i sold it to someone who foolishly like me didn't do enough due diligence

                • Silvosis on 22/11/2020 - 22:57

                  @Trying2SaveABuck: Where do you reckon all the private sales go? Surely not everyone can afford the full packaged public sale and auction services offered by REAs

                  I've had friends mention to me before instances where direct private sales can happen. Just dno where to source them.

                  • Trying2SaveABuck on 22/11/2020 - 23:08

                    @Silvosis: Real estate companies have in house events - in Victoria they are generally for 'new developments' or 'off the plan sales' most sales are basically on realestate.com - bar the really high end properties like Toorak mansions or top level pent houses.

                    Just look online so the the open do your due diligence and put an offer - If you are on a budget like most people expect to miss out till you hit something - if you buy the 1st property u see then ur probably doing it wrong and too emotional. The best times to buy is off a seller who needs to sell ie divorce, bankrupt etc - so look out for MortgageE properties (Banks taken the house back to sell bcuz the owner couldnt afford repayments) and try ask the neighbours why the person is selling they know the area and individuals you can get valuable information - if the place has renters in it ask them about the property not the agent they will know more

                    One other trick that i used is that MOST agents hate rival agents and most sellers will interview a few agents when you talk to Agents that missed out on a property they can be open to telling you about negatives and give you accurate insight about the vendors ie why they are really selling

                    Last thing i'd say is most people selling there house have unrealistic expectations on what it is worth (agents always tell them a house is worth more then it is to get them to sign on the dotted line) dont be afraid to leave your details ie they want 800k but you think it is only worth 700k tell the agent im interested around this price point and if they chase you in 3-4 weeks you might be able to get it for that price otherwise you got nothing to lose.

                    Good luck i hope u get what ur after

  • Meho2026 on 22/11/2020 - 22:45
    +7

    If you want to be on a REA radar and get notified of off market sales or be the first to know of a deal you need to lay the groundwork and build a relationship.
    Sending SMS isn’t the best way to initiate that. You need to be going to inspections or visiting the REA office and have a face to face convo.
    You need to show them you are a serious buyer, with all your finance in place, have a solicitor and are ready to act, tell them exactly what you want to buy.
    Once they realise you are a serious buyer and not wasting their time they will be motivated to help you.
    Obviously you need to remember they will always be working on behalf of the vendor so it’s always up to you to do your due diligence. Once you realise that then their lies don’t matter.
    They are primarily motivated by their commission, if they know you will buy a decent property for a fair price that requires a minimum effort on their part, they will approach you.
    You do have to play the game though and act as if you like them and are always pleased to see them and hear from them.
    They are a bunch of lying (profanity) salespeople that thrive off face to face interaction. That’s all you need to know to play them.

    • Silvosis on 22/11/2020 - 22:49
      +1

      Fair enough - I've been to plenty of inspections over the last 1 to 1.5 years. Trust me, they forget you as quickly as the inspection is over.

      I always leave my contact details and info on what I'm looking for - but even the best ones only remember you at best for the next few properties.

      At least, that's been my experience - plenty are nice, but they have very specific focuses and if you not an easy catch they really have little patience

      • Meho2026 on 22/11/2020 - 22:56
        +3

        Look, I’ve bought several properties and offered and negotiated on more that fell through.
        That’s what’s worked for me.
        If REAs aren’t remembering you then you need to change what you are doing

        • Silvosis on 22/11/2020 - 22:58

          Perhaps I'm just small fish in a big ocean.

          • Mugsy on 23/11/2020 - 08:29
            +1

            @Silvosis: Small fish can still be fed on. Money is money… having worked in real estate offices and currently in the property industry, I concur with what Meho said.

        • GourmetFoodie on 24/11/2020 - 20:02
          +1

          Agree. You need to let them know you are serious and have the money.

          We always get remembered! Lol. It’s actually annoying sometimes when we’re just having a nosy!

      • dizzle on 23/11/2020 - 18:40
        +2

        To be fair, going to inspections for over a year seems (at least to me) a less serious buyer. Yes you may be waiting for the right one, but if they've seen you going to that many and not purchasing or not putting in offers then they will put less effort in. You could jus be kicking tires, you could be unrealistic in your expectations, you could be waiting for that payrise to pay for it. How do they know?

        I'm not in real estate, but as a salesman the longer the customer waits, the less likely they are to purchase. They are always waiting for that little bit more, that slightly better deal.

    • GourmetFoodie on 24/11/2020 - 20:01

      Great advice.
      Especially making it clear you have finance confirmed.
      They get a lot of time wasters but this guy was still an ass.

  • HelpMeiCantSee on 23/11/2020 - 08:14

    Meh. The guys a dick. Show him what real spam is- https://mailbait.info/

  • Mugsy on 23/11/2020 - 08:50
    +1

    OP, did you copy and paste the same text message to send out?

    If so, look at this from the point of view of the real estate agents… 3 to 6 of them in the same office, all getting the same message (or just their name changed), and no face to face contact with you ever (or in recent memory) to confirm that you're a real person. It's going to look like spam.

    One of them drew the short straw to reply to you… they didn't want to lose a potential customer so someone had to reply.

    Some tips to help you navigate REAs…

    • sales people in the same office are usually directed to not compete with each other. This doesn't mean they won't but they risk getting in trouble or fired for stealing another sales person's lead.
    • if you're going to send out messages en masse, send it to the reception email address. They will then allocate a sales person to you.
    • as others have said, you need to increase your face to face interaction. Remember that you're competing with other buyers who are making themselves more memorable to the sales person. Don't think of it as the sales person working for you… they're not. They're working for the vendor.
    • all buyers in the area are competing with each other. You need to make yourself more memorable than other buyers.
    • Silvosis on 23/11/2020 - 09:41

      Just to note, I've been having real conversations with other agents in the same RealEstate agency. They know I'm real - I've even met some of them in real life and they have my details.

      I just wasn't aware the 2 more I texted were from the same agency.

      • RecklessMonkeys on 23/11/2020 - 11:42
        +1

        Just wondering why it wasn't apparent that they were from the same agency? Did the emails not have the same domain name?
        Not that it should matter.
        The guy's response seems to indicate he doesn't like competition.

        I'd respond by saying that its unfortunatate that he considers business enquiries to be spam, and you won't be bothering him again.

      • Mugsy on 23/11/2020 - 12:39

        Fair point that you've met with them.

        I also admit that the reply back from the agent was a little harsher than it could have been. Had it been me, I would have jumped on a phone with a hidden number and called you back. It would have quickly answered if you were a spammer or not, and a verbal explanation of why only one of them from their office was replying to you would have been better (having you get confused enough to post about the experience on an online forum is evidence enough that the sales person didn't make a good impression).

        Incidentally, from my experience as a buyer, most agents don't remember me and those that do usually try to sell me something that doesn't quite meet my needs. I know I'm picky with my property purchases but I'm also laying down hundreds of thousands of dollars for something that will take me 30yrs to pay off so I'm of the view that I'm entitled to get what meets my needs. I tend to rely on regularly checking online listings, setting up email alerts, and organising inspections with the agent directly… it gets me in before everyone else who just wait for the open house.

        If you've ever wondered why the good properties go before the first open house is held, the above is the reason. A good property will sell itself quickly and agents will want to list it publicly to generate competition in order to get a higher price.

  • Bob Svargis on 23/11/2020 - 12:48
    +5

    OP, I think you're being a bit over-sensitive. There's nothing overtly rude in their response to you. OK, it's a bit direct, but hardly offensive. I wouldn't worry about it.

    • Mugsy on 23/11/2020 - 12:57
      +2

      "Direct" is right word to describe the sales person's response.

      I wouldn't get confrontational with the sales person and just let the matter go… the way karma goes, that sales person will probably end up listing the perfect property the OP is after.

  • Geekomatic on 23/11/2020 - 18:45
    +3

    My son was house-hunting last year/ We went to dozens of "open" houses and met the least interested real estate people you could imagine. Finally, we looked at a place that wasn't quite right but we thanked the women who attended AND answered questions. The following day, she emailed asking his top price and areas he'd consider and she would look around for us. Well, she sent possibilities as they came up and he bought, through HER, from another realtors listing. At the pick-up of keys, she'd put together a champagne cheese basket, too. Smart lady. I now notice her face on lots of sold signs in our area.

    Good ones are out there, keep looking.

    • ColeD on 30/11/2020 - 20:03

      Did you let the REA know the absolute TOP price? And is that what he paid?

  • Pro-crastinator on 23/11/2020 - 23:21
    +3

    A real estate agent that's annoyed by spam… LOL!

    They obviously don't realise what happens when a potential purchaser contacts an agent about 1 property… you go straight on the mailing list.

    I'd reply "I'm excited that your office has taken notice of my interest, usually I get generic emails from agents and signed up to a mailing list that spams me! Looking forward to your personal assistance in my search."

  • mrvaluepack on 24/11/2020 - 09:37

    Just ignore. When i entered my email into realestate.com.au for agents to contact me, got loads of spam and junk box was loaded up. I believe some RE companies are selling your email address to other marketing/spam companies.

  • soaringphoenix on 24/11/2020 - 09:50
    +2

    Silvosis, you have every right to be annoyed by this response.

    I'm sure there are plenty of decent REAs out there (and if you're one of them reading this, thank you for representing that group). At the same time, the behaviour I have observed from REAs in terms of lying, deceit, and manipulation is disgusting.

    That's before we even get to the irony here - REAs are the biggest lot of spammers I have ever come across.

    I have been attending a fair few open homes over the past couple of months. As part of entry, you must give your mobile phone number, along with your name. I understand this is necessary to keep some kind of record of who has attended the home for security purposes. However, every single agent I have encountered (at least 15+) have taken this as a consent to call me and leave voice mail messages nearly every single day. It happens without fail - attend inspections on Saturday, phone rings repeatedly throughout Monday to Wednesday.

    Now THIS is what I call unsolicited spam. The nerve in accusing you of mass spam after sending a couple of messages to a publicly listed address!

    I'd avoid any further dealings with this person on principle.

    Best of luck in your search.

  • DaneD on 24/11/2020 - 11:15
    +2

    IMO people are thinking about this incorrectly.

    It is important to understand from an agents perspective buyers are a dime a dozen and sellers are like gold.

    Think about it this way. If an agent has a seller who is sitting in the right price range buyers will automatically contact them / be interested because the market thinks/there is real value. So knowing / catering to buyers might be perceived as inefficient / a waste of their time.

    Obviously, should also mention that they forget these buyers will eventually turn into sellers. But that is down the road thinking, which they may not consider.

    TLDR. Buyers don't provide income sellers do, hence most agents don't care about buyers as they do not consider the long term.

    • bobbie34567 on 24/11/2020 - 11:40
      +2

      Good long term ones do this, treat buyers or owners good as they turn into sellers.

      I've had an agent been in contact with me for ages, like 8 years. He just checks in by email/phone now and then on whether I might be selling, keeping me informed of the area, what's sold and selling, etc.

      I'd definitely be looking to sell through him if I did want to sell. It's a long time payoff for some but if they did this to all their clients, those that are looking to sell will get his business, and from his listings, its working.

      • DaneD on 24/11/2020 - 11:54

        Agree, but as mentioned most don't think about the long term.

        Additionally, from memory I think the stats on realestate agents making it past 1/2 years are very low hence the priority for sellers.

      • Keeegs on 24/11/2020 - 16:43

        Yup, that's why I will never deal with Harcourts

        • bobbie34567 on 24/11/2020 - 18:01

          "do not call" list? and this was not Harcourts… but i'm sure all agencies are applicable.

      • Ughhh on 24/11/2020 - 17:17

        He just checks in by email/phone now and then on whether I might be selling, keeping me informed of the area, what's sold and selling, etc.

        Some may consider that as spamming.

        • bobbie34567 on 24/11/2020 - 18:01

          Yeah possibly, but doesn't seem like spam to me. Perhaps its because he varies the way he keeps me informed. Sometimes its a letter in the mail, a short call once a year, and by email.

          I'm sure I can tell those that you don't want to hear from to put it on their do not call list and they won't call again.

  • tik tok on 24/11/2020 - 11:20

    80 m2 for a 2bed and a 2bath? Living and kitchen excluded! I am surprised to note the new reality for Australian homes.

  • Mistredo on 24/11/2020 - 11:34
    -1

    No surprise when you contacted almost everyone in their firm.

  • OzzyOzbourne on 24/11/2020 - 12:25

    Just thank them and let them know when you've bought from another REA.

    It's the business culture in Australia to p1ss off potential customers for innocently wasting a moment of your time. Fortunately for them, everywhere is the same so people still get rich with that bad business attitude.

  • MementoMori on 24/11/2020 - 12:35
    -1

    Do you realise you created a situation where you were asking two agents to 'fight' for your business over commission?

    That's why the guy was pissed off.

    Just move on.

  • TightAl on 24/11/2020 - 12:40
    +3

    Docklands has so many REA listings and it's a buyer market, why would you email..

  • monkeyfood on 24/11/2020 - 12:53
    +1

    Properties sell themselves, agents don't like to be asked to do their job

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 24/11/2020 - 15:27

    Lol this is hilarious. Classic reminder that agents work for the Vendor. Not for a buyer. Not sure why you're emailing anyways. Anything they are listing will be listed already.

    473 properties as of today on Realestate.com.au matching your criteria. None of them suitable? Everyone is bailing from the area. Tonnes for sale.

  • No on 24/11/2020 - 15:28
    +5

    Reply back with "unsubscribe".

  • Keeegs on 24/11/2020 - 16:41
    +4

    This is rich coming from a real estate agency where their core marketing strategy is spamming people.

    I bought my property from Agency A, but a few months later started seeing spam from Agency B, C D, etc all addressed to me personally. 100% sure I've never given these agencies my info before.

    Lo and behold, an AMA with a local RE agent revealed that all the major RE agency has access to a database with all their clients info.

    I bloody hate real estate agencies and their agents..

  • This Guy on 24/11/2020 - 19:26
    +1

    Sounds like you sent an email to a generic email address and it auto forwarded. This is not your fault. This immature agent should be removed from this list as they can't be trusted to produce mature replies to the general public.

    Reply All (including the rude agent's comments):

    Is this acceptable behavour from an REA agent for an enquiry via a web form?

    BCC Owen Wilson. try owen.w@; o.wilson@; owen.wilson@; etc. Owen is a rare enough name that the wrong email's won't get though, only the right one. And no one will see your attempts as they are BCC's are blinded CC. Unless the agent reads this, he won't know you have forwarded his stupid, money lossing comments to his boss.

    If you could be bothered, you could search the agents boss and CC them too. But as petty as this sounds, this reads like a toxic office and this really need the CEO's attention. GM's are usually better at faking friendships than sales people and will usually cover for unacceptable behavour if the salesperson makes them money.

    • redslert on 24/11/2020 - 23:51
      +2

      Nope, the OP sent multiple SMS to multiple people.

      • This Guy on 25/11/2020 - 18:05

        Still not an appropriate response from a healthy sales team. The only time I have seen that behavour as acceptable was when working for a struggling franchise with silly staff turn over rates. Successful sales teams will fire people who act like this as it burns reputations, reducing future business.

        OP's not responsible for a confusing contact system. This is another issue corporate management need to know about.

  • drfuzzy on 24/11/2020 - 19:31
    +2

    Real estate agents want a personal emotional relationship with clients - it's a bit like dating. They will invest the time in helping you but in return, you are to purchase from them so they are paid the commission.

    You did the equivalent of sending a "You have a beautiful smile, would you like to have dinner with me?" message to an entire group of girls, only to have them realise they each received the same message.

  • field1985 on 24/11/2020 - 20:33
    +3

    Give us his details… we'll show him what spam really is.

    Screw REA's there is no lower lifeform, scum of the earth.

  • DiscoJango on 24/11/2020 - 21:10
    +2

    Their response sounds like a 19 year old with a cheap suit whos new to the game. I would ignore it, maybe a smart ass reply like "sorry to waste your time i guess youve made enough commission this month".

  • brad1-8tsi on 24/11/2020 - 22:32
    +2

    I would go elsewhere. There's no need for that response. He could have simply ignored your enquiry or responded with "how can I help".

    I'd even be inclined to forward the email to the owner of the business so that he knows what his people are like.

  • Royalmarker59 on 25/11/2020 - 06:37
    +1

    I had similar experiences with Real estate agents in melboune
    Especially their responses to first time home buyers is not congenial.

    Some tips if you meet real estate agents

    • dress well and present well
      -100 percent honesty doesn’t work
    • donot reveal your financial limitations until you have retrieved enough information and developed trust with these agents
      -End of the day they work for sellers not buyers
    • act smart
    • if they act smart - walk away , they will follow you
    • if you show desperation, either they ignore you or take advantage
    • Donot email them, its waste of your time
    • they don’t even read your full or lengthy email
    • phone call or meeting in person is ideal. Remember emails don’t have tone expressions and emotions
      Sometimes you can drop a letter to the owners in the post box . May be use your friends or partners contact details to write to owners . You have fifty fifty chances of the owners responding

    When I brought the property the agent was a money minded , when I met the owner was lovely and expressed he was looking to sell his furniture and some belonging to minimal cost along with the house but the agent didn’t give a damn about it

    • TheBird on 26/11/2020 - 00:01

      dress well and present well

      Different strokes for different folks.

      Whenever I've bought, I've usually worn trackies with a tee and joggers or something equally run down.

      I've had the occasional run in with an agent. Usually I'll have a chat with the owner on the phone when that happens and wipe my hands of the property.

      Most of the time I find it's more about how you carry yourself. It's those inexperienced sellers that are the best. Pepper them with the right questions and they almost always lead you to how to structure the deal to how you get what you want. There's heaps of peoperty out there. You have to find what's best for you.

  • OXOTA on 25/11/2020 - 09:46
    +2

    I would find another agent. You already got a smart ass response which shows they are not very smart. If they lack the imagination to see how you emailed multiple by mistake and just assume you are a spammer then don't deal with them. Give your business to a non-idiot.

  • Subere on 25/11/2020 - 11:44
    +3

    The irony of a REA accusing you of spam when they are kings of it.
    I get random unsolicited SMS from REA because I viewed a property 3 years ago.
    Throw in the phonecalls they used to do months after viewing a property trying to sell you something or scoping out your requirements.

    You'd think in this climate they'd take whatever business they can get.

    Scum of the earth. Best friends when they're seeking your signature and deposit and then don't want anything to do with you if you politely decline.

  • coztopia on 25/11/2020 - 13:50

    They're all snakes, you've done nothing wrong. you've just faced the arrogance of someone who's job gets easier and easier by the day as commissions rise with zero extra effort.

    i remember looking for a rental in Melbourne a little while ago, demand was so strong the agents could not give a flying f#$% about prospective tenants.

    • kaleidoscope on 25/11/2020 - 14:52

      i was told they dont care about rental prop that much as commissions are low and effort they have to put in is high…

      • coztopia on 25/11/2020 - 17:12

        oh yeah, absolutely. But politeness is free.

  • Hangryuman on 25/11/2020 - 13:57

    'I trusted that nice man in the suit - how come he took all my money … ?'

    oh problems are so difficult these days …

    https://local.theonion.com/daddy-i-m-hungry-says-27-year-old…

  • Drakesy on 25/11/2020 - 14:18

    IMHO sending a generic email to multiple agents is a bit lazy and the reply was warranted i believe.
    Given the market over there i'm surprised they responded given they'd probably be getting bombarded with interest.

    I wouldn't want to work with someone who's playing off multiple agents against each other.

    • athk on 25/11/2020 - 15:16

      It's been stated multiple times that the OP sent an SMS not email … Sigh..

      • Drakesy on 25/11/2020 - 15:23

        Even worse then
        No one likes spam coming through their phone
        At least email is a tad more formal.
        Still should call them first

    • coztopia on 25/11/2020 - 17:15

      normally it's the agents spamming you .. i was getting calls from agents years after buying our house to see if we were looking. The more contact details for potential clients the better, usually.

      • Drakesy on 25/11/2020 - 17:50

        I agree that Real Estate agents are looking for clients, but they only make money on selling houses or on the rare occasion they split the commission selling another. I'd say people like the OP are a dime a dozen, especially with the way the market is going with no slow down in sight.

        The Real Estate Agent will contact the OP if they have something on the books otherwise in the Real Estate agents case it sounds like they have plenty of similar potential buyers in the same situation as the OP.

        If someone doesn't want your business they're perfectly within their rights to reject you. Nothing shocking in the response, just direct.

  • yabree17 on 25/11/2020 - 16:51
    +1

    Meh the amount I've been spammed from real estate agents over the years way outweighs what you did. That agent sounds like a douche (aren't they all tho?!). You did nothing wrong.

  • imurgod on 25/11/2020 - 17:54
    +1

    REA are smug because the market is hot but add very little value. In fact, I'm surprised property hasn't just gone to connecting owners and sellers like car sales have.

    Since they aren't keen to make that sale, help them lose it.

    I would suggest choosing and agent that you are happy to deal with and tell them to approach the buys for any property you're keen on.

    I did that years ago and have bought and sold numerous properties through my guy.

    Since there's a mutually beneficial relationship, he works hard for me and I can rely on him.

  • MrTruffle on 25/11/2020 - 20:49
    +1

    Totally rude response. Maybe got the agent after a coke binge?

    Seriously though there's plenty out there both buyers and sellers. So if this person has listing's you want to see then just tell them 'whoops' and ask to see a specific place.

  • watson4884 on 25/11/2020 - 21:15
    +1

    https://m.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-docklands…

    Not sure about docklands, but the best shot would be looking on the website(domain or real estate ?)
    White a few around there ypu could look at

  • BargainCowboy on 25/11/2020 - 21:38
    +1

    They're all douchebags wanting the commission for themselves and sour you contacted their colleagues. Find someone else!

  • foolsgold on 25/11/2020 - 22:13

    I think your reading into this too much. Every sales person has a different way with how to deal with rejection. This one went down the dick route. He/She probably thought your flogging that message off to every single agent in the area, and thought you were a dead lead.

    Ignore them and move on, there just doing a job, some are good, many are dicks, etc. I wouldn't let one sales person stand in the way of a particular property just to school them on etiquette, especially in realestate when the product is unique.

  • earth worm jim on 26/11/2020 - 11:28
    +1

    Name , email and shame, so we all know who to stay away from.

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